Monday, August 30, 2010

Two teams drop out of the Sweet 16 this week and Clover, S.C., and Charlotte Catholic zoom in.

Clover, a 4A team, jumps in at No. 16 after beating 2009 N.C. 3AA state champion Belmont South Point and N.C. 3A team Gastonia Ashbrook in consecutive weeks. Catholic, a 3A team, is in after beating 4A South Meck and 4A regional power Providence on back-to-back Fridays.

Catholic jumps all the way to No. 10.

Belmont South Point, which has lost to Clover and 2A Lincolnton in back-to-back weeks, drops out. The Red Raiders were No. 10 last week. Also dropping out was No. 16 Olympic, which was soundly beaten by Myers Park, 39-6 last week.

Also, Rock Hill South Pointe is down two spots, to No. 6, after losing 42-20 to city rival Rock Hill Northwestern Saturday; and Independence, despite not playing, drops three spots to No. 9, the Patriots lowest ranking in 10 years.

Independence (0-1) plays a key home game against Rock Hill South Pointe (1-1) Friday. South Pointe defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the nation’s top overall recruit, had two sacks and nine tackles against Northwestern. Four of his tackles were for a loss.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Only six miles separate Charlotte Catholic and Providence High School on N.C. 51. Last season, only one point separated the two teams, as the Cougars outlasted the Panthers 48-47 in triple overtime in the second game of the season for both teams.

This year, Catholic and Providence will again vie for bragging rights.

Providence (8-5, 4-2 Southwestern 4A in 2009) gave some of the best teams in the state - Butler, Independence and Richmond Senior - all they could handle. The Panthers are looking to prove they are among the top teams in North Carolina.

Meanwhile, Catholic went 7-5, well below its standards. But the Cougars and 37-year veteran coach Jim Oddo are eager to prove they are back among the best teams in Charlotte and the state.

"The fact that they are right down the road from us makes it a natural rivalry for the kids," said Providence coach Randy Long. "It was a great game last year, and I think it could be just as good this season."

Oddo, who will try to pull off his second win against the Panthers in as many years, feels the same.

"Oh yeah, we remember last year, and I think my guys may have reached back a little bit because it was my 300th win," said Oddo. "We ran the ball very well, and they passed the ball very well. It seemed like whoever had the ball last was going to win the game."

This story originally appeared in South Charlotte News. To continue reading, click here

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Concord – NCISAA Division II State Champion First Assembly Christian School Eagles have a lot of new faces with high hopes and dreams. Last year the Eagles went undefeated (13-0) and won the State Championship for the second time in the past three years. They also lost thirteen senior starters and only have three returning starters from last season.

However, FACS Head Coach and former Carolina Panther, Mike Minter is very optimistic about the season. First Assembly beat Victory Christian 61-6 in its opening game last week.

“We are bigger and stronger than we have ever been," Minter said. "Just observing the team on the practice field one can see a significant size difference from last year."

Minter and First Assembly play what he calls the biggest game in school history at Charlotte Christian Friday. The Knights won the 2008 Division I state title and lost to Charlotte Latin in the 2009 championship game.

Minter's Eagles have several stand-out transfers who will fill key positions this season. At Quarterback, Andrew Goodman (Mallard Creek) was MVP of the Mallard Creek junior varsity as a freshman and was the back up quarterback on the varsity team last year behind North Carolina recruit Marquise Williams last season.

Goodman started in two games and threw for 300-yards and two touchdowns. He participated in the Shuman National Combine at the University of Oklahoma in July.

The team has several other transfers, including DT Ronald Evans (West Mecklenburg), DE Ugonna Awuruonye (Providence Day), DE CJ Little (Putman City, OK) and running back Jeremiah Walker (Northwest Cabarrus). Walker rushed for more than 720 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.

The returning starters include senior Christian Little, K/T Robbie Freeburg and MLB Easton Spraybary. Spraybary led the team in tackles last year with more than 8 tackles per game and 3 sacks for the season. Freeburg looks to be a Division I kicker prospect.

Friday, August 20, 2010

High school football teams will take the field for the first time this season tonight, Aug. 20. Seven home games will start at 7 p.m.

“This is an exciting time for our students, parents and fans,” said Vicki Hamilton, director of CMS athletics.

CMS has added $1 to ticket prices for athletic games this year. This means ticket prices are $6, rather than $5 and the increase supports school athletic programs.

School staff will monitor weather reports and assess field conditions for each game. Teams may play in moderate rain but not in severe weather. If lightning is heard or seen in the area, games are immediately stopped and all fans and players must seek shelter. Skies must be clear of lightning for at least 20 minutes for play to resume. If severe weather continues, game and school officials may postpone the game.

CMS hires Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services staff and an ambulance for every game. In addition, the district has partnerships with local hospitals and doctors assigned to each team attend the games. Every school also has a first responder or licensed athletic trainer at games.

Here is the schedule for Friday night:· West Charlotte at East Mecklenburg· Garinger at Myers Park· Mallard Creek at Independence· Catholic at South Mecklenburg· Hopewell at West Mecklenburg· North Mecklenburg at Olympic· North Gaston at WaddellAway games include Providence at Richmond Senior and Butler at Mt. Tabor.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Christian LeMay, the former Butler quarterback, won't play high school football this season, but Rivals national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell doesn't think it'll hurt him too much.

LeMay violated a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' code of conduct in June and was given a 40-day out of school suspension. The suspension would've kept him off the field until November, and LeMay's father said the alternative CMS school LeMay would've had to attend didn't offer the credits he needed to graduate in January.

So if LeMay had served the suspension, he could not have have graduated until June.

Farrell said he hadn't heard of a situation quite like this.

"There have been situations where kids have had to miss their senior year due to academic ineligibility or injury," Farrell said, "but this is the first time for a quarterback, especially such a highly regarded quarterback, that I've heard of where it had nothing to do with academics or injury or assault. It was a mistake the kid made in judgment. I don't think this will affect his recruitment."

Farrell said if Georgia was going to change course with LeMay, it would've done so by now.

"Georgia has already made a commitment and had it been something worse ... if this was drugs or any sort of transgression more serious, I think they would drop him in a second," Farrell said. "But because it was a situation where it was bad judgment but not ... technically anything illegal - it was a stupid, stupid mistake on the kid's part - I don't think they'll punish him for that."

Farrell said he would not expect the time away from the game to hurt LeMay too much. By the time LeMay enrolls in college, he will not have played in a game in more than a year.

"You want to be out there in live action, reading defenses and taking hits," Farrell said, "and for him to go a full year without that will slow him down, but he's polished enough and smart enough where I think it'll be all right."

Quarterback Christian LeMay will not return to Butler High this year and will not play football at any school, his father said in statement released to the Observer Tuesday morning.

Stacy LeMay, Christian's father, did not say where Christian would attend school this fall, or whether he'd be home-schooled. He replied to a text saying Christian would attend school "in a private setting."

LeMay, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior, is ranked among the nation's top 20 overall recruits by many recruiting services. He threw for more than 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns last season, leading Butler to an unbeaten season and the school's first state championship. He's committed to play in college at Georgia.

In June, LeMay violated a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools code of conduct rule. Sources say LeMay and a female student had a sexual encounter on campus. In the statement, LeMay's father, Stacy, said Christian was given a 40-day out-of-school suspension, which the family appealed.

On July 26, Stacy LeMay said school officials maintained the full suspension and also informed the family that after it was over, Christian could possibly return to Butler from a CMS alternative school. Stacy LeMay said Christian needs two credits to graduate and plans to do so in December.

"Adhering to such a severe ruling would not only prevent Christian from playing until November," Stacy LeMay said in his statement, "but it would also hinder him academically as the alternative school does not provide the required classes needed for him to finish in the fall of 2010 and move on to the University of Georgia in January."

Read more on this developing story in Wednesday's Observer.

Below is the full text of the LeMay's statement, edited for clarity:

-------------------------------------------------------LEMAY FAMILY STATEMENT:
We first want to thank all of those who have supported our family during this time. The e-mails, letters, text and words of encouragement have been life fueling from supporters of Christian both locally and nationwide. We specifically want to thank (incoming Georgia recruits) Christian Conley and Ray Drew for standing with our son and contacting him daily, Panthers wide receiver Kenny Moore and QB training coach Steve Calhoun for working him out over the summer. Also, Sporting News and all the other recruiting networks that maintained Christian’s National Ranking on their boards.

As a result of Christian’s youthful infraction (that does not involve drugs, weapons or any form of violence), Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools imposed a severe punishment on our son ... which we appealed to their highest form of due process.

On July 26th the CMS board maintained the merciless ruling of a 40-day reassignment to an alternative school “to possibly be reviewed in 30 days”. (This was) in addition to a four-day suspension already served. The ruling also states that after completing the reassignment days, he could “possibly” return to Butler, meaning it is “possible” that he could not return to Butler.

Adhering to such a severe ruling would not only prevent Christian from playing until November due to the 10-day conditioning rule (if he returned to Butler HS), but it would also hinder him academically as the alternative school does not provide the required classes needed for him to finish in the fall of 2010 and move on to the University of Georgia in January.

Given the unwillingness of CMS to apply a more reasonable consequence for such a youthful infraction, as disheartening as it is, we must make the decision to move on and focus Christian’s attention to preparing for enrollment at the University of Georgia in January. Although, rumors suggest that Christian would likely transfer to one of the excellent programs such as (Duncan) Byrnes (S.C.), (Rock Hill) South Pointe, Greensboro Dudley and even Victory Christian Center, Christian could not imagine playing his senior season at any place other than with his brother Uriah and his teammates at Butler High School.

Therefore, having come to resolve that following the CMS consequence would not accomplish “student achievement” for Christian, we as a family have concluded that he will forgo his senior football season and focus on his preparation to attend the University of Georgia.

We are quite honored that other colleges continue to show strong interest in Christian attending their school. However, we have continued healthy communications with (Georgia) coaches and the commitment remains the same on both ends.

Christian will now prepare himself for the next season of his life as he takes this time to become stronger, spiritually, academically and physically. With the help of fitness trainer Andy Hendel of Cross fit Charlotte and QB coach Steve Calhoun of Armed and Dangerous, Christian will certainly be prepared to arrive in Georgia this spring ready to compete. We are fully confident that his best days are still yet to come. GO BULLDOGS!!!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Wesley Walls is a former Carolina Panthers tight end who played 14 seasons in the NFL.

Colton Walls, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior, had 116 tackles, seven sacks and one interception last season after moving from defensive end to middle linebacker. He helped Latin win its fourth state title in the past five seasons.

In the state final win over Charlotte Christian, Walls had a sack, an interception and a blocked punt.

“(Colton) has been around the game his entire life and you can tell,” Latin coach Larry McNulty said. “He plays with an intensity that you don’t see that much in high school players. He is already very strong and explosive, but I only think he is going to get better and better.”

Former Butler High assistant Maurice Jones is the new boys basketball coach at Queens Grant. Queens Grant is a Mecklenburg County charter school, located on Pineville-Matthews Rd., in between Butler and Independence High Schools.

Jones has coached at Anderson College, The Citadel, South Meck and West Meck, Queens Grant athletics director Lauren Mello said.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Charlotte Country Day assistant football coach Sam Cook died unexpectedly this week.

Cook was a 1966 graduate of Country Day. He has been an assistant junior varsity football coach since 1993.

His father, John Cook, coached the Bucs football team from 1959-86 and annually

Charlotte Catholic and Country Day play a non-conference football game with the winner taking the John Cook Cup.

Sam and John Cook were the first inductees into Country Day’s Athletic Hall of Honor in 1999.

“Sam was a leader and a motivator,” Country Day junior varsity coach Ed Walton said. “He was interested in all the players, not just the stars. He always helped the athletes make the most of of their talents.”

Bucs varsity coach Bob Witman said Cook will be dearly missed.

“He truly embodied (Country Day) football,” Witman said. “Sam watched his father build up the program from the purchase of the first helmet to a string of state championship wins. Whether as a player, a fan or as a coach, Sam always gave his full support and commitment to the program. He was a tremendous influence on the players and we are all going to miss him very much.”

Charlotte Catholic’s Matt Pacifici, a senior goalkeeper committed to Wake Forest, is listed as a member of ESPN Rise’s “Starting 11” for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Other N.C. players on the team: Raleigh Millbrook keeper Spencer Lacivita, a Virginia commit; Raleigh Athens Drive forward Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler, who has committed to North Carolina; Greensboro Day midfielder Jonathan Campbell, Greensboro Page midfielder Matthew Mills, who has committed to Virginia and Durham Jordan midfielder Teddy Mullin, who has also committed to Wake Forest, also made the list.

 Charlotte Latin coach Lee Horton was named a MidAtlantic Region “Coach of Note” by ESPN. Horton starts his 30th season this fall and has a record of 406-134-58. ESPN said Horton is the only coach in the MidAtlantic region with more than 400 wins and counts Latin (20-2-1 in 2009) as the top contender to challenge Greensboro Day for the N.C. Independent Schools state title.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Mecklenburg County high school football teams usually play on Fridays. This season, the district has scheduled games on back-to-back Saturdays in September.

There will be eight games played on Saturday Sept. 11 starting at 7 p.m., and there will be five more played on Sept. 18. Those games will start at 8 p.m.

The games were moved in deference to two major Jewish holidays. Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset Sept. 8 and runs through nightfall on Sept. 10. Yom Kippur starts at sunset Sept. 17 and runs through nightfall of Sept. 18.

Some county teams will play on those two Fridays but will be playing on the road at out-of-county opponents.

“For the past three years, the district has made a commitment to the Jewish religious holidays,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ system athletics director Vicki Hamilton. “So we were able to move the Friday, September 10th games to Saturday at 7. For the September 18th games, we did everything we could to move games as late as we could in the evening.”

Hamilton said CMS didn’t move the games to Monday Sept. 20 because it usually reserves Mondays as an alternative playing date if regularly scheduled games are postponed due to inclement weather.

Games MovingCMS is moving games scheduled for Friday Sept. 10 to Sept. 11 and games scheduled for Friday Sept. 17 will move to Sept. 18. Friday, Sept. 10: Vance at Sun Valley; Berry at Forest Hills; Waddell at Porter RidgeSaturday, Sept. 11: Hopewell at Providence; North Meck at Myers Park; Independence at W. Charlotte; Richmond Senior at Butler; West Meck at East Meck; Harding at South Meck; Weddington at Ardrey Kell; Garinger at HoughFriday, Sept. 17: Ardrey Kell at Marvin Ridge; Mallard Creek at Chester, S.C.; Berry at Monroe Central; Waddell at Greensboro Smith; Butler at Lenoir HibritenSaturday, Sept. 18: South Meck at West Meck; Independence at Vance; Harding at Hopewell; Rocky River at Garinger; Ashbrook at Olympic

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Last year was a tale of two seasons for the East Mecklenburg Eagles football team.

Or maybe three seasons.

The Eagles started strong at 5-1, the only loss coming to Mallard Creek.

After losing the seventh game, to Independence, East Meck seemed to fall apart, getting upset by Myers Park and hammered by Butler 52-13. Fortunately, the next week was a bye.

East Meck looked strong again, winning two of its last three regular-season games and charging all the way to the regional semifinals as a No. 12 seed, where the Eagles lost to eventual champion Butler.

But when he took the reins of the Providence Day football program in 2008, Hardin wanted the challenge of trying to build the Chargers into one of the best teams in the state.

To do that, Hardin and company first must win in their own conference, the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA), which boasts the last nine state champions. The CISAA has been so dominant that both teams in the title game have come from the conference the last seven championship games.

Only once in that span has Providence Day been in the final game, in 2005.

The Chargers now hope their time is coming.

"Playing Country Day, Latin and Christian every year in the our conference makes it kind of like playing in the SEC or ACC," Hardin said. "We know it is going to be brutal. But we feel like this could be a breakout year."

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Butler High quarterback Christian LeMay and his father have a meeting scheduled with Victory Christian school officials Thursday, a source close to the school told the Observer.

LeMay is considered one of the nation’s top 20 college recruits by most scouting services. He committed to Georgia in May. In June, LeMay broke a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ code-of-conduct rule and was given a 30-day out-of-school suspension.

The LeMays had an appeals hearing last week, though the results are not known. If the suspension was upheld, it would keep LeMay off the Butler football team until late October.

If LeMay were to transfer to a private or out-of-state school, he could potentially play immediately.

Efforts to reach LeMay’s father, Stacy, were unsuccessful.

Victory Christian coach Frank Crockett declined comment. The Observer contacted coaches at Concord First Assembly (Mike Minter), Providence Day (Bruce Hardin) and Charlotte Latin (Larry McNulty), who all said they have had no contact from the LeMay family.

Efforts to reach Charlotte Country Day coach Bob Witman and Charlotte Christian’s Jason Estep were unsuccessful.

LeMay passed for more than 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns last season, with two interceptions, leading the Bulldogs to an unbeaten season and N.C. 4AA championship.

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Concord High coach Glen Padgett knows there's more to life than football.

That's why the second-year Spiders coach decided to hire an academic coach to help his program excel academically this season.

Padgett said the idea for the position came from years of listening to his athletes talk about wanting to play in college, but feeling helpless watching as talented players were unable to fulfill their dreams because of grades.

"Society in a lot of ways conditions them to think, 'If I'm good enough, things will take care of themselves,'" said Padgett.

"This is a way for our program to reinforce the importance of academic success to our kids."

With college programs providing tutors and other academic support to their athletes, Padgett thought that same principle could also work at the high school level.

"I feel like this is a way we can help them succeed and put themselves in a position that if college is what they want, then not going because they don't qualify won't be a problem," he said.

Padgett said that with an academic coach the team will be able to hold players more accountable for their schoolwork, which could help the program out in the long-run by keeping players eligible.